Shoulder decisions — 2020

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a left shoulder disorder, finding that there was no evidence of chronic disability related to his military service and concluding that any current condition is more likely due to age and attrition.

The Veteran's hepatitis C claim was reopened and granted service connection. The gastrointestinal disability (diverticulosis) claim was denied, while the right shoulder disability claim was also denied.,Service connection for hepatitis C is established, but claims for gastrointestinal disability and right shoulder disability were not supported by evidence.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including left shoulder rotator cuff tear and other orthopedic conditions, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation since November 14, 2019.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including a VA examination to determine the etiology of any current left eye disorder and whether it is related to service-connected TBI.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including a left shoulder disability, type 2 diabetes mellitus, kidney disability, bilateral upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, and heart disability (claimed as coronary artery disease), have been denied. The Board found no evidence of current disabilities or exposure to herbicide agents that would support presumptive service connection.

The Board denied service connection for a back disorder, left leg disorder, right leg disorder, left shoulder disorder, and right shoulder disorder. The Veteran did not have any diagnosed conditions related to these issues during or after his military service.,Service connection was also denied for COPD. The Veteran claimed exposure to diesel exhaust fumes and asbestos, but the Board found no evidence of such exposures in the record.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the onset and relationship of the Veteran's left shoulder disability to his military service. The claim will be reviewed again with a focus on whether the condition is related to an in-service injury or if it was aggravated by his service-connected essential tremor.

The Veteran's claims for left hand/thumb disability, degenerative joint disease of the left shoulder, chondromalacia patella of the right knee, and left foot disability have been reopened. The claims for left hand/thumb disability and left foot disability are granted, while the claim for degenerative joint disease of the left shoulder is denied.,The Veteran's service-connected right ankle disability has led to a secondary service connection for left foot disability.

The Board has granted service connection for a right shoulder disability and a right ankle disorder, finding that the evidence is evenly balanced as to whether these conditions had their onset in service. The Veteran's reports about her history of pain are credible, and there is no conflicting medical opinion.

The Veteran's claim for service connection has been reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. However, the claims for service connection for a back disability, neck disability, and right shoulder disability are still pending as they require further examination.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings, finding no evidence to support his assertions or that his conditions are related to service. The Veteran was granted a TDIU and basic eligibility for Dependents' Education Assistance.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for left shoulder, left shin, and right shin disorders due to insufficient evidence. A VA examination is needed to determine if these conditions are related to military service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to an inadequate VA examination, and a new examination is needed to assess whether the Veteran's current left shoulder disability is related to service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for right and left shoulder disorders due to inadequate medical opinions in previous decisions. The Veteran is seeking a determination on whether his current shoulder conditions are related to military service, particularly parachute jumping activities.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a right shoulder disability was reopened and granted. The claims for left shoulder disability and PTSD were denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance or being housebound due to his service-connected disabilities, as he was not found to be in need of regular aid and assistance.

The Veteran's service-connected right and left shoulder disabilities are granted with ratings of 30% and 40%, respectively, prior to April 30, 2018. The Veteran is also granted a TDIU prior to October 9, 2008.

The Board has remanded the claims for type II diabetes mellitus, right hand residual injury, arthritis (to include gouty arthritis), right shoulder condition, right hand laceration scar, left and right ankle conditions, bowel condition, and hemorrhoids due to new evidence indicating they may be related to service. The Veteran's PTSD claim has been denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for various disabilities, including rheumatoid arthritis and hypertension. The appeals are being returned to the AOJ for additional development.

The Board has decided to remand the claims of service connection for left and right shoulder disabilities due to insufficient examination findings, particularly regarding the Veteran's periods of active duty, ACDUTRA, and INACDUTRA. The case will be returned for further development.